The brutal rapes in Delhi and other parts of the nation found special mention during the Sido Kanhu Murmu University convocation ceremony on Monday.
Expressing concern over increasing crimes against women, President Pranab Mukherjee urged the people to introspect and find a solution. He said it was the duty of universities to impart moral education to improve human dignity and the society. Mukherjee was chief guest for the convocation, during his two-day visit of Jharkhand.
The President awarded university toppers with their degrees and said academic institutions had the responsibility to take the lead and impart education that will help meet moral challenges of our times.
“Recent incidents of brutal assault and rape have shaken our society’s collective consciousness. They highlight the urgency with which our society should introspect at erosion of values and our repeated failure to ensure safety and security of our women and children,” said the President.
“We should identify and find solutions for such enormous depravity. Dignity and respect for women must be ensured at all times,” he added.
On the occasion, Jharkhand Governor Syed Ahmed, who is also Chancellor of universities of the State, said Mukherjee was serious about development of Jharkhand and gave important suggestions to him from time to time.
“The President always feels Jharkhand comes in the league of developed States. Under President’s Rule at present, efforts are on to bring transparency in governance and giving momentum to development and welfare schemes. For this, many important decisions have been taken and instructions issued so people get 100 per cent benefit of schemes,” said Ahmed.
Earlier, Mukherjee arrived at Birsa Munda Airport at 1 pm, where he was received by the Governor and given a grand
welcome by dignitaries. The President also inspected a guard of honour there.
He then left for Dumka by an Army helicopter along with the Governor and took part in the SKMU convocation. University Vice-Chancellor Bashir Ahmed presented a memento to the President.
Mukherjee noted that SKMU has contributed a lot in transformation of the socio-economic condition of the tribal population of the area. He stressed that universities could play a crucial role in producing national assets.
Mukherjee also appealed to the nation to harness human resources, as the average age in India — according to a census — in 2020 will be 29 years. This is compared to 40 years in the US, 46 years in Japan and 47 years in Europe. Two-thirds of the population would be of working age in 2020.
Meanwhile, Dumka town was given a makeover to welcome the President. This was only the second visit of a President — after 1952, when the first President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad, had come to Dumka.
On Tuesday, Mukherjee will lay the foundation stone for the first mega power plant of Santhal Pargana, in Godda district and will also visit Deoghar temple.